Elven team in Campaign Elves vs Dwarves -- Dwarves and Gnomes Keep Out (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

Almost through with midterms/papers/work craziness...

In a whisper, he leans in and gives his small input. We do need all the help we can get, it seems. I am ready.

I am in

Derrick brings his advisors and son in and shows the elves a map of an old immense fortress on a hill surrounded on three sides by a river. It is the site of the old imperial depot.

He speaks to Talon.

"This is the source of the stockpile of all goods for distribution to the military. Although it may seem somewhat belligerent to seize these strategic goods and possibly harm the Central Kingdom people, it greatly increases our chances to defend ourselves and decreases their ability to wage war against us. I do not wish to do anything without thorough scouting and planning. Nothing compares to an actual first-hand survey of the operation."

"Let me know what you require. I did not find out if you asked Ferret and Bore to accompany you or not, but I am sure you have a team up to the job. Any more specific questions?"

Remind me of any open/unanswered questions.

Just provisions to last the journey. I think we can manage.

We can handle it. I think...

Are you looking for a scouting mission or for a full blown assault on this place? The requirements are potentially very different. In any case I would need quivers refilling and as would all the party. Whilst Ferret and Bore might be useful, for the minute I think we will go it alone.

Derrick looks a little concerned, "The objective is to get the supplies and military equipment. A raid is the ultimate objective, but scouting out the place first is probably indicated."

We can do that. We're pretty good at that. What say you, elves? Should we acquaint ourselves with the lay of the land further in?

Talon will stand slowly, stretching. The sooner we go the better. We have too long been in one place. When do we get going?

Right away. We just need food for the journey.

Derrick produces about 50 days total of trail rations. Derrick also produces a caravan of local merchants that have business inland. The wagons consist mostly of salted and fermented seafood products. Marinated fish is available in plenty for the journey to the former capital.

Luckily you will be riding up front. Your will easily pass for hired mercenary caravan guards with the insignia provided. Derrick has some captured cloaks, clasps, scabbards, and armbands with a stitched light blue fox on them. The unimaginative name of this company was the Blue Foxes.

Elorin, I assume you have decided what to do with the bow?

This can always be retconned later, but lets get the story moving again

When Elorin passes the bow to Talon, his eyes go through a flurry of emotions, ranging from desire, thanks, lust and strangely, disappointment.

That you would so readily give this gift that was yours to me speaks much. I hope that I might be able to honour your sacrifice and your kindness. May this bow be a curse upon our enemies.

When the order finally comes to go to the Human lands on this raid, he begins once more preparing himself for battle. Once more skills would be tested, and once more it would come down to him as to whether those that he considered family were kept safe or not. Still, that they were going to fight humans meant that his particular skills were perfectly suited to the job, and he longed to be able to prove them.

Whilst the name of the mercenary group is unimaginative, it serves the purpose that it is needed for. When Telethal leaves the group, he is at a loss as to why someone would have deserted them, but realises that the path they might have to lead is not one suited for everyone, and that his skills might be better served in the defence of the Elfhome.

On the travelling to the human city however, Talon will often be seen talking with the bow, finding out what it knows and just generally keeping it company.

Once actually in the city itself, he will be keeping his eyes up and alert, looking and listening to find out anything and everything he can.

If there is a chance to divert from the group a little then gathering information to do with how the city is run, watching the city guards and how they patrol etc will come into it, and I can roll for it if you wish.

I thought we had a frontliner joining us. Will move things along tomorrow--promise.

Any news on the new guy?

Seltyn, what are your orders my friend? Do you wish us to find a place for the horses and so on?

Yes. Let's go.

Elorin is pressed into service doing ambassadorial duties. Plus, she is in demand to speak to the new church that has spreading throughout the land. She passes the elven bow into Talon's hands as she leaves.

Talon feels a strange presence infused in this bow. The bow seems to be fused pieces of many different wood pieces in a single piece of wood. It is impossible to tell where one piece ends and the other begins. The bow can be effortlessly drawn and the string is not made of any material you know. The string disappears into the wood at the top and bottom as if it was a natural part of the wood itself. This does not allow the bow to be unstrung and concealed very easily.

The presence in the bow must be that of a great archer, for Talon need not hardly concentrate to let the bow go or aim it. Although elves are normally social creatures, the presence in this bow is surly by elf standards and maybe even dwarf standards.

The bow speaks with a clear magical voice for all to hear - "I really liked the beautiful lady -- Talon, I like your name, but you are not so pretty."

The caravan moves out. It is approximately a one week trip through rural farmland and some recently burned scrubland. You are informed that minor lizards sometimes burn their prey out of hiding and chase them down. These lizards are horse sized and best left alone.

The journey begis with the 12 friendly merchants and eight common laborers who are quite friendly, but simple. The merchants seem to only want to talk of exchange rates, carry forwards, time and delivery contracts, and spoilage rates of different consumables by season. You see another large party coming your way on the narrow road.

On the sixth day, the merchants pull of to the side as the approaching party is obviously a military group. They have well maintained scale mail suits and they bear a standard of a white charger on a field of yellow. One man is mounted with a full breastplate for him and chain armor for his horse. The rest are on foot--the group is about twenty strong all together.

One of the merchants chimes in, "Military before merchant, we wait and let them pass."

Very well.

Hoods up!

Talon blushes slightly at the idea that he is not as pretty as Elorin, and as right as the bow is, it still stings a little.

If the military gets priority then they get it, I won't block their path.

Then talking back to the bow I am glad that my name pleases you so. Please, would you tell me your own? I am assuming that an item as beautifully and masterfully crafted as you are would have been named somehow.

As the elves make themselves inconspicuous, they can't help but watch the column move by. The mounted man is surrounded by a retinue of bodyguards. The very disguises that were intended to pass unnnoticed in the large town are quickly noticed by the observant horseman.

The large knight on horseback speaks, "Not the foxes--what are they doing here guarding a caravan. Those dishonorable scum are more apt to raid a caravan than guard one." He turns to the figure beside him.

The figure steps forward into the front of the human troops. He is a young elf that is following one of the human banners that still stands for honor and dignity to see what the fuss in the south is all about. Are the rumors of elves and humans allying on the mainland really true?

Standing at six feet and eight inches tall, Wilaml Fmelvam is a very tall thin elf, towering over some of the humans as he steps out in front of them. He appears to be wearing a clean, well maintained cleric vestments underneath his armored duster and sports a heavy steel shield depicting his gods symbol. He has lightly tanned skin with short cropped blond hair, akin to what Human soldiers are seen to have most of the time, his left eye is a cloudy grey while his right is covered by a eye patch. Which appears to be covering a cruel looking scar.

He approaches the elves that his companions had indicated to him, a look of surprise and shock is easily discernible on his face. With ever step it is easy to hear the clinks of shifting potions and the overly large healers kit hanging on his shield side. "Vmaaanelvla fmaanirmal eo anira vmailan anmaa, ean ela il tycaillayma ane saaan sema eo sa nelw ilsew anira nyirilela. Ean ela selaan oemanyla anirilan oilana irilla waceelamaw aey lae hyenynca. Sa iltyeceveala E ils Wilaml Fmelvam, Irelatyeanilccam eo anira vewwalala, illw ean ameycw tycaillaa sa elama synyir ane anmailan illa el aeym fillw amire ilma elquymaw."

Talon looks up, a little startled at being addressed so eloquently by one of his own that somehow had not been banished to the island that was now the ElfHome.

In Elven Well met brother. Thankfully our travels have seen us get to these lands with a minimal of injuries, and thus your healing services are not needed this very moment. If that man that just spoke says more about our race then he may well find himself to be challenged to a duel. There are many slights that I will personally take, but to be called a common thief, to be accused of being more likely to raid a caravan than to guard it is not one of those slights. You speak of it being fortunate, why is that?

@Wilaml You know among the free companies the foxes have a less than stellar reputation for the jobs they take.

Wilaml regarded his angered elven brethren curiously. He enjoyed speaking elegantly in Elven, mindful that few of the Companions knew the tongue, but please to find those who didn't wreck it with untrained tongues. "Slight or not this is the reputation the Foxes bare Brother and I am afraid that many among the Free Companions look down harshly upon you for it. His words, at least, are much more... Restrained. Compared to others I have overheard and dueling won't help your cause, in fact it will worsen it. Besides I won't waste the gods strength on those who allow empty words to drive their swordarms. It is a fault among Mankind, barbed comments and quick blades end their short lives more often then warfare."

He tries to think of how best to word his next response but after a moment shrugs and continues speaking. "I was told few of my kind remained and so I have traveled with the Companions in the hopes of meeting more of my kind and surprisingly here you are. I hadn't expected so many, it is quite an surprise and relief to know the rumors were unfounded. As for myself, my family has served alongside Mankind for generations, fighting in their wars and performing diplomacy when needed. It gladdens my heart to meet others who know the ancient tongue, Mankind does not speak as elegantly and it is bothersome to listen as some stumble and speak our tongue in a such a broken way."

With that said Wilaml stood quietly for a moment, looking from one Fox to the next as he searched their souls for what type of people they were.

Cast Detect evil - At Will - 1 round focus, merely identifying any among the companions who barest an evil aura.

The large man on horseback seems agitated by Talon's words and his face flushes red. He speaks in slightly broken elven, "One of the foxes toting 'Oneshot' on his back and skulking around. Why shouldn't I cut you down where you stand and take that bow to Lady Ciedrel for a reward? That bow will not oneshot me."

For an elf as tall as Wilaml its impossible to hide his shock and it takes him a momment to master his features once more as he turns to look to his human companions. His words are quick and fluent in the common tongue, yet he barest not a hint of anger or mockery in his tone. "Such threats bring your honor low as well Sir. We cannot call them raiders and then threaten to take their things in the same breath because they respond to what was clearly a mockery of their honor. Besides, I find no evil among them. If they were bandits or dishonorablethen I would know it. So I can say with certainty and through the gods good grace these Foxes are good people. If you will allow it I wish to accompany them on their journeys, that is if they'll have me as well."

Talon takes a moment to compose himself, and then replies slowly.

To Wilaml Fmelvam (Elven)

I suppose it was much easier for you, accepted among the humans as an ally. However some of us who were not so lucky to be found as allies among the humans, and were therefore confined to other lands. We survived as best we could, confined through crippling trade agreements that were not in our favour in the slightest. We survived because of our pride and our loyalty to our own kind. We survived because we fought for what we believed in. We continue to do so as best as we can. Lady Ciedrel has entrusted with a great responsibility to explore the lands and report back to her. We are therefore here on her authority.

To the arrogant man on horseback.
For one, before you can get close to me, I will have 2 arrows shot into your hide from my own hands. You call us the barbarians, but you Sir are the one who began this exchange I believe, calling us dishonourable scum and the like. We will take the one who is of our kind, and leave you to your travels. I wish you well.

Talon will turn back to those that he considers his friends and waits for their signal. His hand rests gently on his bow, ready to draw it if needed, but hoping that his rash outburst will not get anyone killed

Wilaml wasn't one to shout but he was tired of these games, if they would not listen to reason then they would listen to steel. Speaking the tongue of men he drew his blade and stood between the pair. "Enough of this foolishness, if either of you move to draw sword or take aim with your bow I will move to block your strike. Then you will carry the knowledge of bloodying a man who has done nothing more then try and save you from your own foolish pride!" Wilaml blades sange as he pulled it from its sheath. He peered at his elven brother with his onne good eye as he spoke in elven. "Sa oilseca wew amirilan aniraa irilw ane ane laymeleela. Ilan caillaan aey irilw aeym omaawes, le silananam iream ceseanaw, ceen amirilan aey ilma ilnynyestycelairelv leam illw anira veoanla aey irilela faal veelal. Lae fa anirillnoyc illw we lean veilw aniralaa sal oymaniram." With that said he stood ready, in a defensive posture, prepared to move between these men to keep them from striking one another if he could.

Where do you get that version of Elven from before spoilering the actual meaning? I like it.

In Elven

If you do not wish to have these men goaded further then very well. The gentleman asked why he should not try to take Oneshot from my person at this very moment in time, I was merely providing the answer, no prejudice, no malice or ill will was intended. For me it was a simple statement, similar in importance to the sky being blue and the grass green.

Let us move from this place, we have tarried long enough. May your journey be fruitful 'Sir Knight' Speaking directly to arrogant horseback man Fair weather and an open road under your feet.

The large human leader motions for his column to stop.

He turns to a squire and says, "Pitch the command tent."

He addresses the caravan master trying to stay out of this, "You are making a rest stop right here." In response he gets a quick nod.

He addresses the elves and the wild animal with the intelligent eyes, "You will be accepting my hospitality for a quick talk. It is common for travelers to exchange information about the road behind as it is the road ahead for the other party."

Obviously, this is a man used to getting his way.

With as neutral a voice as he can Talon will simply say As you wish before going and making himself useful around the caravan

posting on my phone, I will post a link to the translator later. I'm glad you like it though, its a neat piece of fluff I like to use. If it ever gets bothersome let me know. :)

Wilaml sheathed his sword, thankful it hadn't come to blows. He nods to his elven brother, excepting his words but remaining silent about his doubts on who would strike first.

He had come to accept the fact that the Companion's always got there way but after such a crude display it left Wilaml feeling a distaste for his current company. He stayed quiet though, as his father had instructed him to do, it was the easiest way to deal with men. Let them blow, rage, boast and scream, because in the end it didn't matter. You just quietly looked forward to the day you taught there children how to be better men then their fathers. Silent manipulation for the good of many.

Wilaml went about offering his services and assisting as he could in and around the caravan.

let me know if I need to roll heal checks. He also has surgeons tools if major check need to be made. Hopefully not though. ;) lol

Talon will most likely work alongside Wilaml in the healing, assisting as much as he is able and conversing only quietly.

I could do with a set of tools like that, perhaps you could direct me to the seller sometime? After all, we are most likely going to be working together sooner or later.

I would like to apologise for my actions and words earlier. There are many types of pride I suspect. Mine is a little too high. The last mission we were on ended poorly for us. Beaten by the jungle that we were meant to go through, its life force turned completely against us. As it turned out, there was a dryad in the heart of it. We angered her, and nearly all paid a bitter price. Having been saved by some humans from the dryad's righteous anger, we were thankful for the respite. At least until the humans ended up trying to kill us just as much as the dryad had done. Anyway, long story short the dryad sacrificed herself for us all. I don't trust humans.

In Elven: I had heard that there were elves scattered among the humans. Never expected to meet one.

As Talon said, we've had a rough time of things. You'd be a most welcome addition to our numbers. We're spread a little thin, at the moment.

The elven bannerman realizes this is a time for the elven banner to be unfurled. Hiding it was wise, but with the elves honor questioned, it is time to bring out the standard.

Flambeaux boldy approaches Wilaml and unfurls a large banner. Wilaml recognizes it as the one and only standard the elven nation carries into the field personally blessed by Queen Ciedrel and preserved for hundreds of years. It is a silver horse on a field of green, some trick of magic, the ripple of the banner in the wind, or both seems to make the horse move like a charging warhorse.

In a clear voice, "This is the banner you should be marching under."

Noticing Flambeax's clear voice mentioning the banner, Talon stands tall and proud.

Seltyn smiles in a knowing, Gandalf-y sort of way.

Wilaml smiles at his elven brother, Talon's heart was in the right place but he understood the feeling's he was trying to conveying. His can't help but for his face to become emotionless, controlled when Talon speaks of a servant of the wood dying in such a way. Despite himself his one good eye waters at the thought. His voice was clam and controlled as he responded in kind to "Tymewa nyill fcelw yla ilcc, fyan welaanmylaan eo ill alanema milnya amecc nymailana oaam omealwla illw sema alaseala. E ils lailwwalaw ane irailm eo il Wmailw lailnymeoenyelv iramlaaco... Amirilan il vmailan anmilvawa, amirilan amecc fanyesa eo iram anmaa?" He tapped his eyepatch to emphasis his point on how pride could blind oneself.

He turned and nodded to Seltyn, a smile return to his face as he met another of his missing brethren. "Amacnyesa fmeaniram, E irilela lean saan aey aaan illw ean ameycw vcilwwal sa ane nleam ean.
"

He was interrupted though by the arrival of their bannerman and the sight of a symbol he had seen carried by his father. Except his fathers symbol had been but a small trinket, like a holy symbol but one he barely showed anyone. Especially Man. "Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! E nleam anirela laasfec, fyan sa oilaniram irilw anecw sa ean irillal'an faal laaal el ilvala. Lilyviran fyan anira anmelnaan ira nyilmmeala..." He bowed his head momentarily in reverence before looking back to his elven Brothers. His previous moment of saddness was overshadowed by the beloved symbol of his people as he spoke energetically. "E ameycw anilna vmailan tymewa el queelelv aeym nyilylaa, eo aey amecc irilela sa."

Languge converter website: http://www.tilansia.com/langconvert.php

Illa oilm illa ama ilma ilamilma, anira wmailw ela laanecc ilceela, fyan iracw fa laamelillanla eo anira vew Meelilvyv, aniramaoema illa eo aaan leanirelv laawla ane fanyesa eo anira anmaa. Lae celv illa laira ela nycelaa aleyvir ane lean fa irilmsaw fa faelv ilamila omes ean aniral laira amecc fa en. Anira irysillla anirilan faanmilaaw yla ilma sema tyeamamoyc nyymmalanca fanyilylaa eo anira nyiltyanyma, lae ama ilma fewelv eym anesa faoema ilelalvelv iram.

Anira filllam ela anmyca il anirelv ane fairecw ela ean lean? Ean laanillwla eelam yla illa ama anilna nyilma eo anira selalaeella illalaevlaw ane yla omes anira Cilwa Nyeawmec, illw ela anirama ane seaneelilana illw ellatyema yla. Eo aey ilma ameccelv ane celaanal ane anira ellaanmynyaneella eo anirelaa amire cailw yla, anmylaanelv aniraem quywvasalan illw lean hyalaaneelelv eelamca anirelaa ellaanmynyaneella aniral E ils tymaanana layma anirilan salaaco illw Laacanal nyeycw fmelv aey elane anira oecw.

A large command tent is erected with tables and chairs set out. A map, more accurate than the elves have seen, is laid out on the table. Clearly the map shows all roads lead to the large city ahead, which is in the center of the map.

Enough chairs are set around the table for ten. The large human leader with a bearded gnome at his side sits down at the table. Realizing the awkwardness of Wil's position, a chair is placed at the side of the table for him to sit in.

Looking at Wil, "Wil, you have learned much with us of honor and arms, but you have somewhat of a tough choice. All these men would follow you if I fell without question. Your service as my right hand has been exemplary. You are a natural leader."

When everyone is seated, the human speaks in a low, clear voice, "Now tell me why you have that, and are dressed with those insignias." He points to the elven banner.

They are a symbol of our nation and the pride that we have in it. In the same way that Humans will bring their standards to battle for something to rally around, the same can be said for our standard banner here. Do you object to it?

"I do not object to that. So you speak for this group, interesting....you do have the bow."

After a few seconds of silence he adds.

"So the foxes and elves are allied, that is also interesting. I do not think that is common knowledge."

Wilaml stopped dead inn his tracks, looking at his elven brother with a look of shock and dismay twisting his features. "El anira lilsa eo ilcc anirilan ela veew illw meviranaeyla, laira ceelala illw ela caoan el anira nycyannyirala eo aelec. Iream nyeycw anirela iriltytyal..."

He paused as he watched the main command tent was finished being erected. "Pardon me as I must rejoin my Captain."

in the Command Tent

Wilaml takes his place and listens intently to what is said as he realizes he has already made up his mind. Bowing his head in respect for his Captain he stood, speaking in a proud and confident voice. "Forgive me Captain. As much as it grieves me to leave your service so soon, I feel I must. To assist the Foxes and hopefully make a difference as they walk along there path. If ever there is a time you need me to return to help with command, please send word and I shall return post haste. It has been an honor and I hope that I may leave your service without regrets left behind. I believe the men will understand my departure but as I have stated I am willing to return if I must to ensure the Companions continue upon their path as well."

With that he sits. Listening intently to the continuing conversation.

As you know, the Elves take no permanent leader save in name alone. We have our skill sets and we use them for the betterment of the group. Therefore so long as we pull together for a common cause we are not having to be overly concerned with things that we consider so irrelevant as the so called chain of command.

Our view is that it robs the common footsoldier of his wits when he must constantly be told precisely what he is needed to do, meaning that the whole is weakened for it. It also helps that there are not enough of us alive now to wage war on the scale that your race does. Therefore we work in different ways that better suit the needs, strengths and limitations of our race. For example, it is rare to see one of our kind join the front ranks of battle with sword and shield. Ours is far more likely to be the swift ambush with bow and prepared trap.

To Wilaml Faceaela sa amiral E laila ean amilla lean wela anirmeyvir nyireenya. Ama amama anecw fa Lailmillmila iramlaaco anirilan ama amama faelv veelal il laanyelw nyirillnya anirmeyvir anira lailnymeoenya eo anira wmailw. Ameanir ilcc eo yla ilan wailanirla weem, ama wew lean anireln ane weyfca nyiranyn amirilan amilla veelv ane iriltytyal eo ama amama ane laanila illw oeviran. Selaan cenaca ean ameycw irilela malaycanaw el eym wailanirla. Ama silwa anira falaan eo il elama tyeem anilnyanenyilc laeanyilaneel

The mercenary captains nods at Wil's words. "You are young and have much to do; it is us who will miss you."

"Now that you have made that decision, I have to trust this particular band of the foxes. The road is clear ahead, you will run into no hazards till you see the largest city in the area. Watch out, as every type of vermin on two and four legs runs above and below ground in that three level city. You may hazard into the undercity, but by no means go unprepared into the catacombs."

He adds, "Your behaviour there will be counted against the entire mercenary company you represent."

Well if anything is to be attributed to how you greeted us, then anything we do can only be positive for the mercenary company that we represent I suppose

"Well, if you have nothing to tell me about the road ahead for our band, we will be moving on. We wanted to be in Seaview as soon as possible."

The mercenary band quickly stows the command tent and is ready to travel.

"Wil, if you to contact me, try to get a message through the Society of Secrets (a mysterious club for unsavories) and tell them I will pay the message cost."

Barring no other discussions, the caravan moves on to the depot or the garrison as some locals call it.

"Wil, if you to contact me, try to get a message through the Society of Secrets (a mysterious club for unsavories) and tell them I will pay the message cost."

Wil stands and bows his head to his Captain and clasps hands with him in a final firm shake. "Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta, I will send word if needed Captain. Stay out of trouble while I am gone you old bruiser." With a brief chuckle Wil releases his Captains hand and nods his head respectfully before gathering his remaining items before joining the Foxes once more.

He walked alongside the foxes as the Caravan rolled toward the Depot, after they had put some distance between themselves and the workers. "I didn't tell you all the full truth earlier. There is a man among the workers that reeks of evil. Not like a pick pocket or con man, no, they are much worse..." Wil looked over his shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man.

Totally spaced out that elven thin blades existed -.-

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Talon looks puzzled. Whilst he had known that there was good and evil in the world, and considered himself part of the good, the idea that there were people who could pick up on these aura's and perceive them was newsto him. What would you have us do? The man is most likely under the protection of your old friend and thus there would be more trouble for us all to pursue this man, not to mention would cause you personal conflict.

Clarification, the man Wil detected is in your caravan.

In our caravan? Well that changes matters a little